molan

[quote name='hiram.k.hackenbacker' timestamp='1400104750' post='2450933'] It does sound really bad when you put it like that. A lot of folks wouldn't dream of spending that amount on a whole bass, let alone on the options alone! [/quote] That's why I was asking the question At the start price it's a great bass that fulfills a specific need and, in my opinion, there's nothing else out there that compares. At £1,600 I'd say it's relatively expensive but not specifically 'high end'. The options are all functional rather than cosmetic but adding them send the price spiralling. So the question was about whether adding expensive options to an instrument elevates it to 'high end' status or not (as per the OP's question). I'm genuinely undecided about whether I'd call it high end or not. It's definitely a custom instrument built to very exacting standards by a specialist builder but, without the high price of the options, I'm not sure it's what I'd call a really high end bass.

How about Status - do they classify as a high end brand? I picked up Streamline yesterday to use for one specific gig this weekend and was totting up the cost and it comes in at about £2,600. The core bass is a ail able at £1,600 but it's carrying about a grand's worth of options that I'd consider to be pretty 'high end' so maybe that moves it from relatively functional into more of a 'luxury' bass?

I've played a few 33" 5's and they've felt really nice and sounded great. I think if you buy a well mad instrument then you don't have to be as concernd about scale lengths. I rehearsed win a 32" scale bass tonight (only a 4 string though) and I really didn't notice any huge tonal difference between it and my regular 33.3" scale gigging bass or one of my standard 34" ones

Just a quick note on the 'age' factor. The most recent Fodera I sold was to a student. It was a £12K instrument and he's worked several evening and part time jobs, gigged in covers and function bands plus loads of private teaching to be able to afford it. It will be his sole instrument for all his playing He's an amazing player and I'm fairly certain he will become a professional player of some description. And yes, it did have a very expensive top and gold hardware In the last year I've sold another Fodera to a music student (this was about &5K) and a fretless 5 string Wal to another. There's definitely some young guys out there throwing everything into pursuing a career in music who are prepared to buy what they believe to be the very best instruments they can afford. Personally I think these guys deserve a lot of respect and not the derision they seem to attract from some quarters.

Thought I'd Google and see what the first thing was that came up: "Appealing to sophisticated and discerning customers"

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1399927945' post='2449138'] Going into your shop next week if it doesn't sell soon [/quote] Just thought I'd give you a free plug first

[quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1343133697' post='1745773'] who needs drummers?! [/quote] I sat in on a gig recently with a guy who was her drummer on many gigs he was seriously good. Great 'feel' player and a nice guy too. We even got to play Valerie

There's one for sale here right now

It's definitely the same one. From everything I hear it's an excellent bass. Short scale has put a few people off I think.

[quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1399845654' post='2448359'] Said the middle-aged man with the Fodera collection. [/quote] Just for a change you are incorrect on both counts. . .

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1399845513' post='2448357'] Perhaps they're just nasty cheapo middle-aged men? [/quote] Nah - it's just the beginner's bass of choice (quite understandably). I see a lot of middle-aged guys who decide to start playing in their mid 30's and they pick a basic starter bass like a Squier to see how they get on. Once they get a bit better they tend to move up to something a bit more individual or they decide it wasn't really their thing and sell them on again. Squiers are great for a first timer. I sent a middle aged guy down to my local Dawsons to buy one last week and he's made up with it. Couldn't believe the quality he could as part of a typical starter pack

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1399845722' post='2448361'] Whoa!! [size=4] [/size] [/quote] Yay - I'm going to live to be 110!

[quote name='stingraybassman' timestamp='1399843502' post='2448332'] Absolutely nailed it. [/quote] Round my way I only ever see middle aged men playing nasty cheapo Squiers - there's no way I'd class them as being 'high end'!

Very rough approximation but I'd say anything that's more expensive than an 'everyday' USA Fender. With the Vintage series (which I wouldn't call high end) now kicking around £1,850 new then I'd say £2K is probably about where a lot of people would consider the price break to be. Of course this is completely screwed when looking at used values as some will always lose value faster than others.

Shims are really common in '70's (and '80's) Fenders. Wouldn't bother me at all. It may be a shade expensive but the weight of 8.6lbs massively increases desirability and value. I've bought and sold many '70's Fenders over the last few years and it's amazing how many people ask how much they weigh before they even think about how they might sound. A nice playing early 70's P with a good core tone, and in a desirable colour, that's under 9lbs could easily command a value about £200 - £300 than a comparable one that comes in at 10-11lbs.

I had a Walkabout for while - didn't get on with it at all and sold it very quickly. Sounded a bit flat and wooly to me, especially in combo format Conversely I've had a TH500 more or less since they came out. Have tried a lot of other heads along the way but keep coming back to the TH

[quote name='karlfer' timestamp='1399795881' post='2447619'] First gig with BX700 last night. Instant punch in chest, amazing power and sound, with virtually no fiddling. Slight cut on bass, slight cut on low mid at 200 hz, slight boost on high mid at 1.2khz (a soundman once told me to do that), no compression, graphic eq off, valve pre amp off. Drive about 1 o'clock, master at about 9 o'clock. Against miked up drummer and guitarses. Perception was much more powerful than GB Shuttle/ Streamliner 600, GK MB 500. Fabulous, and learning this amp has just started. [/quote] Good news - keep us posted about how you get on with it

Charlie bought some pickups from me and everything went very smoothly indeed. He was even very gracious when I forgot to post them for 3 days

I'm not a heavy gauge string user but I've certainly seen 50 - 110's used on lots of basses without any problems. They will generally require a revised setup because they tend to have more tension and will cause the neck to bow a little. I've only ever once seen a, 34" scale, bass that couldn't handle 50-110's and that turned out to be due to a weak neck and damaged truss rod.

The Korean made Zons are excellent basses - this is a bargain if it stays low in the bidding!

If you've seen a specific one you like then I'd buy that one and not shop around for something similar online. Fender QC has really improved and there's a lot less duff ones out there than there used to be. However, you still come across the odd one. If you come across a good 'un then I'd even suggest it might be worth a few quid more than a random one from a warehouse